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I was disappointed today because I missed the Filipino Festival. I just had too many other commitments to make it down there. In honor of the day I decided to make some lumpia - dessert lumpia.
Lumpia is the Filipino version of an eggroll. I prefer lumpia because they contain a mixture of meat and vegetables, whereas eggrolls generally only contain vegetables. My mother's lumpia had pork, shrimp, and veggies like cabbage and onion. I've had some versions that have mixed frozen vegetables (corn, peas, lima beans). I didn't care for that version.
When I was at Honolulu's food truck event, Eat the Street, I had a dessert lumpia from the Flipt Out truck. It made so much sense! Just put fruit in the middle!
Notes:
These are not make ahead items. These are made to order and served immediately. The reason is that once you cut the fruit up, it will start to juice out and you need the filling to be on the drier side. Also, once cooked the fruit juices will soak through and ruin the crispness of the wrapper. You may choose to do them only with banana since they don't have the juices. I would not recommend these for a dinner party unless there are only a few of you.
Dessert Lumpia
makes 4-6 lumpia
lumpia wrappers - bought at an Asian market in the frozen foods
1 medium banana
6 large strawberries, hulled
shredded coconut (optional)
canola oil
Heat oil in a pan or a fryer until it quickly bubbles and pops. You want enough oil so that the oil is at least 2 inches deep. Do not go over 375 degrees for fire safety.
While the oil is heating, quickly dice the banana and strawberries into small pieces, about the size of beans. Add coconut if desired. Quickly toss together.
Place a small bowl of water nearby. Take a single lumpia wrapper and in the center place a spoonful of fruit. Quickly roll, sealing with a slick of water to act as glue. (Watch a video on my assembling regular lumpia.) Set aside until all are wrapped.
To cook, quickly drop 1-2 lumpia in the oil. Let cook for 1-2 minutes before flipping to the other side. Cook another 1-2 minutes until lumpia is golden brown all over. Remove and put on several layers of paper towel to drain and dry. Serve while still hot.
Garnishes: melted chocolate, powdered sugar, ice cream, whipped cream
